Seven detained mayors in Turkey have joined Yeni Parti, a new opposition party, the party leader said. The mayors, six from Istanbul districts, sent a letter read at Yeni Parti’s first congress. They said they are behind bars because, despite pressure from authorities, they refused to hand over the local mandates they won in the 2024 elections. “Today we are in prison because we did not submit the mandate politically overseen by the authorities, which the people entrusted to us in the elections,” the letter said, adding that the government’s message to voters is, “You do not exist. Your voice does not count.” Yeni Parti was founded by the former head of the Republican People’s Party, who left the CHP with 91 lawmakers to form the new party. He was described as leading the opposition after being dismissed from the CHP leadership earlier this year. Authorities have detained local officials in Istanbul and beyond, including provincial heads and district mayors. The source says six provincial leaders were arrested, including the mayor of Istanbul, and 29 district heads were also detained, including 13 in Istanbul. The source adds that at least 18 local officials defected, including the mayor of Izmir, who joined the ruling AKP. The mayors cited remain in custody, according to their letter read at the party congress.